I was up there on Saturday, I thought it was cold. I expected temperatures to be about freezing all day, but it seemed colder. Brrr!

I asked a State Park ranger if it was true that wilderness permits were no longer required, his firm, confident answer was that of course they were required, even if you were hiking from Idyllwild or in the National Forest. Contrary to what has been reported on this discussion board. But perhaps he was the one who was misinformed. Another ranger asked me where I was going. I said Tahquitz Peak. He said it might still be in the fire closure area. It has never been in the fire closure area to my knowledge, and I hiked it several times from Idyllwild during the fire closure. Both of them looked like regular rangers to me, not volunteers.

At the lower tram station, someone in a uniform was doing security checks of packs prior to entering the boarding area. You had to feel sorry for him, it is such a hopeless task.